EspañolWoman Operating Taco Stand Critically Injured After Metrolink Train Collided with Big Rig Truck by Rice Avenue and Fifth Avenue in Oxnard
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA (March 26, 2025) – A woman operating a taco stand was critically injured after she was hit by debris when a Metrolink train collided with a big rig truck in Oxnard.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the incident took place around 7:15 PM on Tuesday. A big rig was stopped on the tracks along Rice Avenue.
A Metrolink train collided with the back portion of the trailer, which caused debris to be launched in numerous directions. Some of that debris hit a nearby food vendor.
Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. She sustained critical injuries to her head and was transported to the hospital. Two people on the train also reported experiencing neck pain.
There is a history of collisions at the same intersection. In 2015, a Metrolink train derailed after hitting a truck that was on the tracks. An engineer died, and an estimated 28 people were injured.
It remains unclear why the big rig was stopped on the train tracks. A full investigation into the Oxnard train accident remains ongoing.
Liability for Los Angeles County Train Accidents
Train accidents are much more common than many people may realize. According to the National Safety Council, “Railroad deaths totaled 995 in 2023, a 10% increase from the 2022 revised total of 908 and the highest since 2007. Nonfatal injuries totaled 6,705, a 3% increase from the 2022 revised total of 6,513.” Many railroad collisions involve commercial trucks. Truck drivers should take a number of measures in order to avoid being hit by trains.
- Truck drivers should pay attention to warning signs and flashing lights at crossing gates.
- Truck drivers should approach train tracks cautiously, especially at night when visibility is reduced.
- Truck drivers should never stop on train tracks for any reason.
- Truck drivers should use extra caution when crossing at uncontrolled crossings.
Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous liable parties for any collision between a big rig truck and a train. A truck driver could be liable if their vehicle is hit by a Metrolink train. There are many laws that govern how truck drivers may cross railroad tracks. Pursuant to Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations § 392.12, “No driver of a commercial motor vehicle shall drive onto a highway-rail grade crossing without having sufficient space to drive completely through the crossing without stopping.” If a truck driver stopped on a set of train tracks prior to being hit by a train, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Metrolink or other train companies may also be liable for a train accident. Train operators have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid collisions. This includes operating a train at a safe speed at all times. They must also slow down to avoid hazards along the tracks. Pursuant to Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations § 222, train operators are required to use their horn at least 15 to 20 seconds before reaching a public highway-rail grade crossing. If a train operator fails to take reasonable measures to avoid colliding with a truck, they could be held liable for a collision.
A municipal entity like a city could be legally responsible for a train accident if it was caused in part by a dangerous condition on public property. Pursuant to California Government Code 835, a public entity could be liable for a dangerous condition on its property if (1) the property was in a dangerous condition at the time of the incident, (2) the injury was proximately caused by the dangerous condition, and (3) the dangerous condition created a reasonably foreseeable risk of the kind of injury that occurred. There are numerous ways that a highway-rail grade crossing could be in a dangerous condition.
- A crossing may have a short storage area between the tracks and an adjacent intersection that creates an entrapment hazard for vehicles.
- A crossing may lack clear guidance for drivers that results in them remaining positioned on the tracks.
- A crossing may have non-functioning or delayed warning signals that failed to properly alert drivers of an incoming train.
It can be hard to know what to do if you’ve been injured in a train accident. Victims of these collisions are often left with high medical bills and may need to take extensive periods of time away from work. In the event of a severe injury, accident victims could also be left with lifelong disabilities that impact their capacity to live a normal life. It is important that victims understand that they do have legal rights if they are injured in a Los Angeles County train accident. They may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a personal injury claim.
Investigating Los Angeles County Train Accidents
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP extend our best wishes to the woman injured in this Oxnard Metrolink train accident. It is our sincere hope that she is able to make a full recovery. This was a preventable tragedy that should not have taken place. Given that a similar accident occurred in 2015, it is deeply regrettable that more measures were not taken to prevent similar incidents.
Do you need more information about an Oxnard Metrolink accident? Our team of Los Angeles County train accident attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We are committed to helping accident victims understand their rights and holding negligent parties accountable for the pain and suffering they inflict on their victims. Whether you just have legal questions or would like a risk-free investigation into any incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
